Yohan Cabaye has insisted he is focused on nothing but trying to deliver a great season for Newcastle United – despite Alan Pardew admitting that January transfer window interest in the Toon ace made him “nervous.”

Cabaye’s performance won top marks from football pundits in the Premier League this weekend but while Arsenal, Manchester and Paris St-Germain have all been linked with the star – the latter only yesterday reported to be pondering a £26m bid – the player says he is focused on trying to beat Newcastle’s points tally of 2012 – when they finished fifth. Victory over West Ham put United on the same 36-point tally after 22 games as two years ago.

Afterwards, Cabaye said at Upton Park: “I think we are good enough to stay where we are. We don’t have too look too high.

“We are in a good position and we are winning games. We have 36 points and it’s very good. We can do better than two seasons ago when we finished fifth in terms of points. The top five or six is very solid. First we have to win our games then we will see what happens.”

Cabaye has given United his word that he will stay until at least the end of the season.

But should a big bid come in for players, the Magpies board have demonstrated before they will take the money ahead of retaining a crowd favourite.

When asked on his own personal feelings, two-goal Cabaye, a certainty for France’s World Cup squad if fit, said: “For me I just want to do my best for the team and be in good form for the World Cup. That is the most important thing.”

He said: “I enjoy being on the pitch and just want to do my best for my team and team-mates. I can score of course.

“I want to be in the box and try to hit the target, I scored twice so I am very happy.

“The most important thing is the team did well. So for me I am very happy.

“Even if we hadn’t played well, the most important thing was the win. Fortunately for us we done both. Confidence is very, very nice so now we have to carry on and keep working hard to stay where we are."